Indiana could reap nearly $12 billion in present value of net economic benefits over a 20-year period if an investment were made to extend broadband internet into the state’s rural areas, according to an analysis conducted by Purdue University agricultural economists.

“Estimation of the Net Benefits of Indiana Statewide Adoption of Rural Broadband” analyzed potential costs and benefits associated with broadband installation within the service territory of seven electric cooperatives and extrapolated those findings to the entire state. It was found that every dollar invested in broadband returns nearly $4 to the economy. READ MORE.